Alongside the launch of the review of the Gambling Act 2005 (see item above), the Government has announced its decision to raise the minimum age to play the National Lottery from 16 to 18, to protect young people from gambling-related harm.

The Government says that since it began in 1994 the National Lottery’s games portfolio has changed significantly and there has been a growing trend towards online play and instant win games like scratchcards. Following a consultation, from October 2021 it will be illegal to sell all National Lottery products to under 18s.

The Government says that it is working with the Gambling Commission and Camelot to roll out the new age limit across the National Lottery products as quickly as possible and to ensure that it is in place by October 2021. Under current plans, online sales to 16 and 17 year olds will stop in April 2021. To read the Government’s press release in full, click here.